Ballinger, TX: 8 Health Violations — 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Ballinger by TX authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Ballinger Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Ballinger Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0017 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 88% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.87 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Ballinger
4 water systems are tracked federally in Ballinger, TX. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ballinger, Texas (population ~4,572), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 15,615 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 8 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ballinger: B (72/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Ballinger water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0017 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 18 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76821 | B | 18 | 8 | Coleman County Special Utility District |
All ZIP Codes in Ballinger
- 76821 [B] — 18 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Ballinger
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Ballinger
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Ballinger's Housing Stock?
With 88% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Reading the housing age data for Ballinger — median build year 1953 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Ballinger were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Ballinger: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Looking at how documented remediation costs fit within Ballinger's property market, the equity share lands in the elevated tier — a result that positions the household financial perspective as one requiring structured preparation, where mapping costs against household budget, documenting scope early, and sequencing by urgency are the practical tools that distinguish manageable outcomes from financially disruptive ones.
At 2.2% of home value, remediation costs in Ballinger represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,400–$4,100. Home values here are 54% below the Texas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ballinger
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 88% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Ballinger.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Ballinger
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Ballinger through the NFIP — 3 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Ballinger has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $5,003 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,300</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ballinger, TX